Luke Bryan used Twitter to assure his fans that his elbow is fine after a minor surgery.

After pictures surfaced of the singer with his arm in a cast, the Twitterverse was abuzz with questions about the severity of the injury, as well as speculations about how the singer managed to injure himself. Bryan sent out a tweet on Saturday (March 28) to assure his fans that he was fine.

No biggie. Minor surgery on a tendon on my elbow. Been putting it off. All good.

His tweet was shared over 800 times, proving that his loyal fans always have his back.

Bryan’s left arm is in a sling from the Vanderbilt Bone and Joint physicians group in Nashville. Although there’s no official word as to what caused him to need the minor surgery, it could be that it was chronic tendonitis.

Thanks to some of Nashville’s finest doctors, though, Bryan will be back in business in no time. While tendonitis-related injuries can be common among guitar players, Bryan has managed to avoid anything serious.

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/luke-bryan-surgery/feed/0Rick Diamond, Getty ImagesBlake Shelton Leaves the Romancin' to Someone Else in Sexy 'Sangria' Videohttp://lonestar995fm.com/blake-shelton-sangria-video/
http://lonestar995fm.com/blake-shelton-sangria-video/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 12:30:32 +0000Coti Howellhttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=273152Blake Shelton's "Sangria" wasn't sexy enough, now there's a video to go along with it. However, Shelton doesn't play the leading man here, as Miranda Lambert must have been booked — actors fill in as the romancin' couple instead.
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As if Blake Shelton‘s “Sangria” wasn’t sexy enough, now there’s a video to go along with it. However, Shelton doesn’t play the leading man here, as Miranda Lambert must have been booked — actors fill in as the romancin’ couple instead.

“Sangria” is the third single from Shelton’s Bringing Back the Sunshine album, and there’s no doubt that this one, which was written by J.T. Harding, Josh Osborne and Trevor Rosen, is the singer’s sexiest to date.

The visual starts with a beautiful video girl laying in a bathtub filled with what looks like sangria. Shelton enters while lemons are being cut and the pitcher of alcohol is being finished. He’s holding a glass full, while the video girl and her main man get a little up-close-and-personal in a lounge. With the help of a few cups of sangria, the couple embrace, kiss and eventually head off for some more privacy.

The decision to not get close with a woman in a music video was an easy one for the singer.

“Since I’ve been married, I won’t go there in a video,” he tells People. “If I was to go there, it would be Miranda in a video. I’m not an actor and don’t pretend to be. Everybody knows I’m married to Miranda Lambert, and they don’t want to see me leaving a bar with a girl. Why would I take this ring off for a video? I’d be insulted by that if I was Miranda, and I don’t want to do anything to insult her or hurt her feelings.”

Lambert was involved in some way, however, as Shelton’s “Sangria” was shot at his wife’s Ladysmith Bed and Breakfast. The music video concludes with the video vixen back in her bathtub filled with sangria, and she disappears under the liquid.

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/blake-shelton-sangria-video/feed/0YouTubeJason Aldean and Brittany Kerr Planning to Have Babieshttp://lonestar995fm.com/jason-aldean-brittany-kerr-kids/
http://lonestar995fm.com/jason-aldean-brittany-kerr-kids/#commentsMon, 30 Mar 2015 15:15:47 +0000Billy Dukeshttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=273103Jason Aldean married Brittany Kerr and the couple is already talking babies. Before the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Sunday night, Aldean revealed that they "definitely want to have kids."
]]>Jason Merritt, Getty Images

It’s been a week since Jason Aldean married Brittany Kerr and the couple is already talking babies. Before the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Sunday night, Aldean revealed that they “definitely want to have kids.”

Children might not come quickly, however. The singer tells People they’re aiming for the next couple of years. Aldean and Kerr’s first baby will be the “Burnin’ It Down” singer’s third, as he has two daughters with ex-wife Jessica. Twelve-year-old Keeley and 7-year-old Kendyl were in attendance when the country superstar got married in Mexico on March 23, and they’re frequently seen on Kerr’s Instagram page.

“They want a brother, so we’ll see what we can do about that,” Aldean reveals.

Aldean and Kerr visited Europe together before their intimate wedding, and they say their whole relationship has been a honeymoon. They’ve been together publicly for a year, and were engaged in September 2014. Sunday night’s appearance was their first in public since getting hitched. It ended up being a pretty big night for Aldean, as he performed and took home the Country Song of the Year award for “Burnin’ It Down.”

Aldean’s Burn It Down tour is on break currently, set to resume April 9 in Wichita, Kan. Cole Swindell and Tyler Farr open that tour, but he’ll actually play with Kenny Chesney when the two begin a run of stadium dates this summer. His current single from the Old Boots, New Dirt album is “Tonight Looks Good on You.”

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/jason-aldean-brittany-kerr-kids/feed/0Jason Merritt, Getty ImagesTyler Farr Shares Details for Upcoming Album 'Suffer in Peace'http://lonestar995fm.com/tyler-farr-suffer-in-peace-track-listing/
http://lonestar995fm.com/tyler-farr-suffer-in-peace-track-listing/#commentsSun, 29 Mar 2015 12:00:38 +0000Rebekah Bellhttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=271942Tyler Farr will release his sophomore album, Suffer in Peace, on April 28. The studio album is the follow-up to his 2013 debut album, Redneck Crazy, which landed in the Top 5.]]>Columbia Nashville

Tyler Farr will release his sophomore album, Suffer in Peace, on April 28. The studio album is the follow-up to his 2013 debut album, Redneck Crazy, which landed in the Top 5.

The Missouri native recently revealed more details for his highly-anticipated new album, including the full track listing, songwriter information and two special album bundles that will be available on his website.

Fans will have the opportunity to purchase a special Suffer in Peace album bundle that will include an autographed CD signed by the rising singer, and an instant track download of his studio version of AWOLNATION‘s hit song “Sail.”

In addition, fans can purchase a Deluxe Package which includes the aforementioned items as well as an 8-ounce Suffer in Peace leather/stainless steel flask and a Tyler Farr bullet opener keychain. Dedicated fans won’t want to miss out on purchasing a special album bundle with this unique memorabilia.

Suffer in Peace contains 11 songs, including a duet with Jason Aldean. Farr is currently on Aldean’s Burn It Down tour. Although he is staying busy with the tour, he is eagerly anticipating his new album launch date. The album is now available for pre-order at Amazon.

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/tyler-farr-suffer-in-peace-track-listing/feed/0Reba McEntire Through the Years [Pictures]http://lonestar995fm.com/reba-mcentire-through-the-years-pictures/
http://lonestar995fm.com/reba-mcentire-through-the-years-pictures/#commentsSat, 28 Mar 2015 19:00:48 +0000Coti Howellhttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=269677Reba McEntire is arguably one of the most important women in country music ever. ]]>

Reba McEntire is arguably one of the most important women in country music ever. She started releasing music way back in 1977 and in 2015 — at 60 years old, no less — she’s still going strong. Take a trip down memory lane as we look back at the life and career of our favorite redhead.

Reba Nell McEntire was born on March 28, 1955 in Oklahoma. Growing up, she was always interested in music, singing at school and rodeos (like a good Okie) along the way. It didn’t take long for her to catch the eye of Red Steagall during her time onstage, and soon she was off to pursue her dreams in Music City.

McEntire has always favored traditional country sounds since the beginning of her career in ’77. She’s released more than 40 albums, including greatest hits compilations and Christmas stylings. If George Strait is the King of Country, McEntire just may be our Queen.

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/reba-mcentire-through-the-years-pictures/feed/0Mike Moore, Getty ImagesJennifer Nettles Debuts New Theme Song for Oprah's OWN Networkhttp://lonestar995fm.com/jennifer-nettles-jennifer-hudson-you-will-own-network/
http://lonestar995fm.com/jennifer-nettles-jennifer-hudson-you-will-own-network/#commentsSat, 28 Mar 2015 01:00:50 +0000Rebekah Bellhttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=271728Jennifer Nettles joined forces with Jennifer Hudson to perform a song called "You Will," which will serve as the new theme song for Oprah's OWN television network. Penned by Diane Warren, the song encourages listeners to boldly pursue their dreams.]]>

Here it is! The premiere of the all new OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network theme song, “You Will” with Jennifer Hudson.

Jennifer Nettles joined forces with Jennifer Hudson to perform a song called “You Will,” which will serve as the new theme song for Oprah’s OWN television network. Penned by Diane Warren, the song encourages listeners to boldly pursue their dreams.

“The sentiment of my song is that you should never give up on your dreams, own every breath, own every minute, go live a life that’s got no limits,” Warren says. “You can do anything. It’s as simple as never think you won’t, and you will.”

“I was so touched when Diane Warren came to me and said she wrote a song with OWN in mind,” Oprah adds. “And then to have Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Nettles bring the song to life with their stunning collaboration…what a gift.”

“Like the OWN network, this song encourages us all to boldly dream,” Nettles continues. “I am thrilled to be able to give voice to this wonderful song with such a gifted duet partner as Jennifer, and to celebrate OWN through music.”

The song has been released by RCA Records, and is available for purchase on Oprah.com, iTunes and other digital music sites. The song made its debut on OWN on Tuesday (March 24) at 9PM, during the the finale of The Haves and the Have Nots.

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/jennifer-nettles-jennifer-hudson-you-will-own-network/feed/0Larry Busacca, Getty ImagesKenny Chesney Kicks Off the Big Revival Tour in Nashville [Pictures]http://lonestar995fm.com/kenny-chesney-the-big-revival-tour-nashville-pictures/
http://lonestar995fm.com/kenny-chesney-the-big-revival-tour-nashville-pictures/#commentsFri, 27 Mar 2015 15:00:32 +0000Billy Dukeshttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=272603Kenny Chesney’s the Big Revival Tour was a marathon of hits and surprise guests. It was one of those shows where if you looked down for a moment, a loud roar from the thousands of fans around you would snap your attention back to the stage in anticipation of another cameo or another unforgettable moment.]]>

The kickoff to Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival tour Thursday night (March 26) was a marathon of hits and surprise guests. It was one of those shows where if you looked down for a moment, a loud roar from the thousands of fans around you would snap your attention back to the stage in anticipation of another cameo or another unforgettable moment.

Of course, not every spike in the audience’s fever pitch meant someone new was strutting to center stage. But plenty did. Taylor Swift was first, surprising the audience first with her familiar falsetto before the spotlight caught up to her long legs. The two sang “Big Star” before she gave Chesney a birthday kiss and returned to her VIP seat behind the sound board. Even those at the back of Bridgestone Arena could view the entire performance up close thanks to several enormous, crystal clear video screens.

Three songs later, Grace Potter joined Chesney to sing their current single, “Wild Child.” One knew she’d be back — it’d be a travesty of the night didn’t include “You and Tequila.” Indeed, the pair began the Tennessean’s six-song encore with that song. Joe Walsh stole the show there with four of his well-known tracks, plus “Happy Birthday” for the 47-year-old superstar.

In total Chesney sang 37 songs, keeping his promise to play well into the night. There were the expected hits (“Summertime,” “I Go Back,” “Living in Fast Forward” and “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy”) and a few pleasant surprises. His acoustic version of “Old Blue Chair” was a last-minute addition. “American Kids” was as good live as one hoped it’d be. Chesney has had few opportunities to sing the song live, having taken 2014 off from the road.

That performance was a highlight for many, although it’s hard to say what the highlight was. David Lee Murphy’s appearance no doubt left fans of ‘90s country music buzzing. Uncle Kracker brought his unpolished charm to three of his hits, plus a duet of “When the Sun Goes Down.” Even Chesney’s band got in on the act. The singer’s new bassist held the audience in her hand while she sang AC/DC’s “Whole Lotta Rosie.” Harmoni Kelley McCarty is a name and face fans will no doubt become very familiar with in 2015.

Chesney and openers Jake Owen and Chase Rice will be back at the Bridgestone Arena on Friday night (March 27) before a stop in Columbia, S.C. on Saturday (March 28). The meat of the 55-date tour begins in April. There are 22 stadium dates on the schedule through August — if Chesney was just warming up in Nashville, there’s lots to look forward to at venues like Detroit’s Ford Field.

The woman has attended more than 22 of his concerts, and even has an “old-school tattoo” of him on her back. It’s no wonder that Jackson wanted to reward her loyalty with an onstage dance!

Jackson danced with the dedicated fan onstage before returning to the microphone to finish the rest of the song. It was a sweet moment that the loyal super fan won’t soon forget. Watch it in the video above.

Jackson has been a mainstay in the country music industry for 25 years. His Keepin’ It Country tour is a special 25th anniversary celebration highlighting his prolific career. He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001, and he is a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Jackson’s musical style combines hints of bluegrass, mainstream country and honky tonk to create a unique sound. He has penned many of his greatest hits, from “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” to “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” He became one of the most popular country singers in the 1990s, but his songwriting chops and vocal skills have enabled him to remain a lasting force in the country music industry.

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/alan-jackson-dances-with-fan-remember-when-video/feed/0Taylor Swift Joins Kenny Chesney for 'Big Star' in Nashville [Watch]http://lonestar995fm.com/taylor-swift-kenny-chesney-big-star-nashville/
http://lonestar995fm.com/taylor-swift-kenny-chesney-big-star-nashville/#commentsFri, 27 Mar 2015 13:45:32 +0000Billy Dukeshttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=272580Taylor Swift spent the first nine songs of Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival tour kickoff in Nashville cuddling with DJ Calvin Harris. Then she disappeared from her VIP spot behind the soundboard, only to appear on stage with Chesney to sing “Big Star.”]]>

Taylor Swift spent the first nine songs of Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival tour kickoff in Nashville cuddling with DJ Calvin Harris. Then she disappeared from her VIP spot behind the soundboard, only to appear on stage with Chesney to sing “Big Star.”

Swift has often been compared to the character from Chesney’s 2003 hit. “She signed autographs like she was Garth Brooks in a skirt / And in the aftermath, that small time town was hers,” he sings. On Thursday night she emerged during the second verse, much to the delight of a packed Bridgestone Arena audience.

The 25-year-old was wearing a gray mini skirt and matching long sleeved crop top with white trim. She showed plenty of leg as she worked the stage’s catwalk, eventually stopping to pull a little girl from the crowd. It’s not the first time Swift and Chesney have performed this song together. There are numerous YouTube videos from years past of them sharing a stage.

Chesney thanked Swift as she walked off stage, then joked about having her lipstick smudge still on him. The country-turned-pop singer returned to the soundboard seats with Harris, and spent the rest of the three-hour-long set in his arms, on his lap or (whispering) in his ear. Those around the pair had trouble watching Chesney — needless to say, their night was well-documented on Twitter.

A young Miranda Lambert fan brought the singer an unusual item to sign on Saturday night (March 22) in Biloxi, Miss. — her leg! Double amputee Kalyn Squires has Lambert’s face painted just below the knee of one of her prosthetics, and Lambert was happy to sign it.

The moment was a dream come true for Squires, a diehard country fan with pictures of Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan on the other prosthetic. According to WSMV-TV in Nashville, the 8-year-old from Ellisville, Miss. has been a double amputee since she was eight months old. Both legs were amputated as a result of a congenital birth defect.

“Her positive attitude on life is how she overcomes all obstacles,” Squires’ mother, Christy, says. “Anytime she sees someone with any type of physical difference, she walks up to them and introduces herself and tells them they are special just like her.”

Squires trip to Mississippi was paid for by Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics in Hattiesburg. In addition to meeting Lambert, she received several autographed gifts from the star.

Squires and her family have a Facebook page set up to document “Kalyn’s Journey as a Double Amputee.” The young girl is clearly not slowed by her prosthetics. In fact, one finds hundreds of pictures of her with friends or family, doing things any girl her age would enjoy. There’s little doubt that her positivity will soon serve as inspiration to anyone else facing a similar obstacle.

Lambert will continue her Certified Platinum tour on Thursday night in Hersey, Pa. before stops in New Jersey and New York, and eventually a stop at the WE Fest in Minnesota this August. This isn’t the first time she’s gone above and beyond for a fan working to overcome obstacles. In September, she broke down on stage while singing “Over You” when a 7-year-old fan with cancer reached out to touch her hand, but ended up grabbing ahold of her heart.

Brooks has taken ACM Entertainer of the Year honors six times and is nominated in that category again this year. Chesney has won four Entertainer of the Year awards, including the first fan-voted Entertainer of the Year award. He is nominated in three categories this year for his “American Kids” song and video.

Swift was the youngest artist ever to win ACM Entertainer of the Year at 21. McEntire has won Female Vocalist of the Year seven times, while Strait has won a total of 21 ACM Awards over the course of his career and is the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year. Brooks & Dunn have the won most ACM Awards in the 50-year history of the event with a total of 27, and Lambert has garnered 18 ACM Awards, making her the top female ACM artist of all time. She leads this year’s nominees with eight.

The trophy itself is crafted in sterling silver and white gold, featuring black diamonds. It was designed by jeweler David Yurman.

The Milestone Awards will be presented during the live broadcast of the 2015 ACM Awards, which are set to air from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on April 19 on CBS.

Crazy Facts About Garth, Reba and Other ’90s Country Stars

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After much speculation from fans and media about the whens and wheres of their impending nuptials, Jason Aldean and Brittany Kerr are officially newlyweds following a weekend ceremony in Mexico. Now, the “Burnin’ It Down” singer is sharing the first wedding photo!

The shot appears on a new issue of US Weekly, and it is adorable! Aldean is seen posed in a tan suit, hugging his three girls — his new wife and his two beautiful daughters. While it’s out-of-the-norm to get a peek at the country star’s private life, it’s just as unusual to see him without a cowboy hat. Kerr is shown in a feminine and romantic white gown, with neutral-toned makeup and her long blonde hair in flowing beach waves.

Aldean’s daughters, Keeley, 12, and Kendyl, 7, got in the spirit of the Playa del Carmen, Mexico destination wedding with pink and white princess gowns. Kendyl even sported a purple flower crown on her head, completing the ensemble.

According to the magazine, Kerr walked barefoot down in the aisle in her Pnina Tornai white gown with lace sleeves. She did her own version of the wedding march to the John Legend song “All of Me,” and it was so touching that it made the country hunk shed a few tears.

“She looked beautiful,” Aldean recalls. “I was so excited to see her.”

Friends and family who attended the March 21 ceremony enjoyed gourmet food and touching gifts — and it wouldn’t be representative of Aldean without an awesome party. More details are in the latest issue of US Weekly, on newsstands now.

Video shows Bryan getting five pitches. He swings and misses once, chops two into the dirt in front of home plate, dribbles another toward third base and makes solid contact on the other. Not missed in this Twitter video: the Chicago White Sox apparently work out to late ’90s rock music during spring training. Everyone knows the Wallflowers win championships.

Country stars turning up at spring training is nothing new. Garth Brooks made it a yearly thing, usually playing in games for charity (our stat guy has his batting average at .025). Bryan’s stop in Arizona no doubt came from his business partnership with White Sox first baseman Adam LeRoche. Along with Jason Aldean, they formed the Buck Commander hunting apparel company.

That’s not the only country connection the White Sox have. Pitcher John Danks is married to singer Ashley Monroe. If catcher J.P. Arencibia joined the team (married to the Band Perry‘s Kimberly Perry), country would be united! But alas, he remains in the Baltimore Orioles system.

Brett Eldredge is no doubt a thrill-seeker, especially when he’s celebrating No. 1 songs. And he’s had three in a row!

For his previous chart toppers — “Don’t Ya” and “Beat of the Music” — the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year went skydiving and then swam with sharks. What crazy adventure could he possibly embark on next for his most recent hit, “Mean to Me”?

If the wild singer had his pick? “Dinner in the sky,” he told Taste of Country during Country Radio Seminar last month.

“And they hang you from a crane three hundred feet in the air, and you’re strapped in a chair with your feet dangling,” he explains. “And you have a five-course meal hanging in the air”

Admits Eldredge, “I wanted something unique and something that would scare the crap out of me.”

For the third yet-to-be-determined celebration, however, Eldredge is actually leaving it up to his fans to decide. That’s right, you can tweet your wild ideas to @BrettEldredge using the hashtag #BrettsNextAdventure. (We suggest something that will get his heart racing and maybe make him pee a little. Just sayin’.)

Fans can look forward to new music from the “Raymond” singer coming soon. Eldredge says he’s currently writing for his second album. Catch him out on the road this summer on Darius Rucker’s Southern Style tour, kicking off in Holmdel, NJ on May 14.

Kenny Chesney once paid to keep Taylor Swiftoff his tour, rather than on it. And while that initial news may seem like the stuff gossip sites live for, there was no bad blood or shocking scandal that prompted the decision.

Several years ago, Swift was slated to open for Chesney, but the up-and-coming star was not yet 18, and Chesney had booked Corona Light as a sponsor for his tour. Because of the slew of ethical and legal issues that stemmed from having a minor open for a tour sponsored by a leading alcohol brand, Chesney chose to let Swift’s camp know about the situation before the tour began.

“I had to call her and tell her she couldn’t be on the tour,” Chesney recalls. Although he apologized about the situation, there wasn’t anything he could do to change it. He wrote Swift a check to make up for potential revenue lost.

That year, Swift won the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award, ending Chesney’s four-year stint as the reigning entertainer.

“I went up to her backstage, gave her a hug and told her I wanted my money back,” Chesney jokes.

Today, both Chesney and Swift have found remarkable success as musicians. Swift recently switched from country to pop, releasing her hugely successful pop album, 1989, in fall 2014. She’s gearing up for her 1989 tour now.

Chesney, on the other hand, is preparing for his Big Revival tour, which kicks off in Nashville on March 26. Think he’s considered asking Swift to open again?

Why Are Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney Two of Country’s Boldest Risk-Takers?

My wife and I took another trip to one of our favorite places here in West Texas: Caprock Canyon. It’s truly a paradise for hikers and people who appreciate the outdoors.

The nice thing is that the canyon is less than a couple hours from Lubbock. We got there, took a long hike and many pictures and got back before sundown.

There are bison, prairie dogs and amazing scenery to take in, with many miles of trails. You can bring horses there, camp overnight and do some mountain biking. There’s also a lake for boating, fishing and swimming.

Trust me, it’s worth it!

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/caprock-canyon-for-an-affordable-and-fast-getaway/feed/0Doug BrannsonEric Church Among 2015 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Inducteeshttp://lonestar995fm.com/eric-church-2015-north-carolina-music-hall-of-fame-inductees/
http://lonestar995fm.com/eric-church-2015-north-carolina-music-hall-of-fame-inductees/#commentsSun, 22 Mar 2015 13:00:52 +0000Sterling Whitakerhttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=271519Eric Church is among the 2015 inductees to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.]]>Christopher Polk, Getty Images

Eric Church is among the 2015 inductees to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

The country superstar was born in Granite Falls, N.C., and attended Appalachian State University to earn a degree in business before moving to Nashville to pursue music full-time. He released his debut album, Sinners Like Me, in 2006, and followed up with Carolina in 2009, scoring his first hit with “Love Your Love the Most.”

Church broke through to mainstream success with the 2011 release of his third album, Chief, which scored hits with “Springsteen,” “Creepin’,” “Drink in My Hand” and “Like Jesus Does,” and earned Album of the Year honors at the 2012 CMA Awards. His most recent album, The Outsiders, is one of the most successful and critically acclaimed of the past year, and his tour in support of it has taken his career to the next level, seeing Church touring in giant amphitheaters and stadiums.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15 at the historic Gem Theater in Kannapolis, and is open to the public. Tickets will go on sale this summer at the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Museum.

Jason Aldean and Brittany Kerr got married this weekend, six months after announcing their engagement.

The singer and his new bride tied the knot in an evening ceremony in Mexico on Saturday (March 21). “This is the best day ever – I’ve got my girl here, my friends, my family — it’s the best day ever!” Aldean gushes to US Weekly.

A source previously told Taste of Country that the wedding would happen in Cancun. The date fit in a break on Aldean’s touring schedule — the Burn It Down tour isn’t set to resume until March 26 in Toledo, Ohio.

Aldean and Kerr got engaged in September, six months after revealing they were dating. The 27-year-old Kerr was the woman the “Tonight Looks Good on You” singer was seen kissing while still married to Jessica Ussery. Since March 2014 they’ve stepped out together on many occasions, but Aldean has mostly stayed quiet about the details of the relationship and the wedding.

He did however previously indicate it would be a small ceremony and reception, and it seems that was the case. His daughters, Keeley, 12, and Kendyl, 7, were both in attendance, as were other family and friends. “Today has been the best day of my life. I feel like the luckiest woman to have been able to marry my best friend,” Kerr explains.

Last month Aldean told select media the wedding would come “sooner than later,” but insisted there would be no elaborate bachelor party. He also said he and Kerr — a singer who once auditioned for American Idol — would not collaborate on any music in the future.

A honeymoon break comes before what promises to be a busy month for the 38-year-old. In addition to his tour, he’ll appear at the 2015 ACM Awards in Dallas, Texas next month. He’s nominated in the Entertainer of the Year category in addition to several others.

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/jason-aldean-brittany-kerr-wedding/feed/0Larry Busacca, Getty ImagesGarth Brooks: Miranda Lambert Is Building a 'Catalog for the Ages'http://lonestar995fm.com/garth-brooks-miranda-lambert-catalog/
http://lonestar995fm.com/garth-brooks-miranda-lambert-catalog/#commentsSat, 21 Mar 2015 20:00:15 +0000Billy Dukeshttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=271093Garth Brooks an influence, but the singer says he’s a fan of many of today’s stars, as well. ]]>Josh Lowe for Taste of Country

Countless superstars call Garth Brooks an influence, but the singer says he’s a fan of many of today’s stars, as well. The singer tells Taste of Country Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert are two that really impress him.

“I really like Miranda Lambert because she’s understanding that she’s putting together a catalog for the ages,” Brooks said before the first of nine concerts at Denver’s Pepsi Center. He emphasized the importance of no two songs sounding the same during a live show. Lambert, he says, has variety, but still gets played on the radio.

That’s more difficult for today’s artists than it was for him 20 years ago, he insists. “I’m not sure it’s as hard to get a deal, but I guarantee it’s a thousand times harder to hang on to it,” Brooks relates, “Because everything is disposable.”

Brooks talked to ToC during Wednesday’s (March 18) grand opening of the Child Life Zone at the Children’s Hospital Colorado. The singer’s Teammates for Kids foundation played a role in getting the new facility open. Later that night he played his first show in Denver since 1996. Over 120,000 tickets were sold for the six-night run, which ends on March 24. Find all of Brooks’ tour dates at the button below.

]]>http://lonestar995fm.com/garth-brooks-miranda-lambert-catalog/feed/0Josh Lowe for Taste of CountryRemember Who First Recorded Garth Brooks' 'The Thunder Rolls'?http://lonestar995fm.com/garth-brooks-the-thunder-rolls-tanya-tucker/
http://lonestar995fm.com/garth-brooks-the-thunder-rolls-tanya-tucker/#commentsSat, 21 Mar 2015 16:00:42 +0000Sterling Whitakerhttp://tasteofcountry.com/?p=271427Garth Brooks scored one of the biggest — and most controversial — hits of his career with "The Thunder Rolls," but it had actually been previously recorded by another country star.]]>

Garth Brooks scored one of the biggest — and most controversial — hits of his career with “The Thunder Rolls,” but it had actually been previously recorded by another country star.

Brooks wrote the song with Pat Alger, and released it as the fourth and final single from his second album, No Fences. The song reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart, and it spawned a very controversial video in which Brooks, as an abusive husband, gets killed by his long-suffering wife. That video was banned from most video outlets, but ended up winning the CMA Video of the Year award in 1991.

Though it was the first time the song had been released, Tanya Tucker actually cut it in 1988. Her version contains a third verse that Brooks chose not to record, in which the wife appears to be readying to shoot her philandering husband. She later dropped it from the album, which allowed Brooks to then record it for himself. Tucker’s recording, which is more keyboard-oriented than Brooks’ country-rock approach to the track, was eventually released as part of a box set in 1995.

Brooks still performs the song’s lost third verse at his concerts: “She runs back down the hallway and through the bedroom door / She reaches for the pistol kept in the dresser drawer / Tells the lady in the mirror he won’t do this again / ‘Cause tonight will be the last time she’ll wonder where he’s been.” A full version with that verse appears on his Double Live album from 1998.